Cap feeding mechanism



June 10, 1952 E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOR. 5M1. /Tud/ B W, mzzmgmf m 5 June 10, 1952 E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOR.

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June 10, 1952 E. A. TESCH, JR 2,600,138

' CAP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed March 19, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 I UJL LENTOR. BY TW him, 111, 9

E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM June 10, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOR. (9M A. M

714%, (i2 2 Mafia/0r E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM June 10, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOR.

June 10, 1952 E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 19, 1948 INVENTOR. @MAM June 10, 1952 E. A. TESCH, JR

CAP FEEDING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. WA 2M, 2L.- BY Wm,

Filed March 19, 1948 IIWI I l l H 1 I i Patented June 10, 1952 CAP FEEDING MECHANISM Ernest A. Tesch, Jr., Chicago, 111., assignor to Phoenix Metal Cap 00., Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application March 19, 1948, Serial No. 15,822

13 Claims. (Cl. 113114) The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a cap feeding device capable of various uses but it is especially adapted for feeding caps one after another to an apparatus for applying a sealing gasket to the cap.

An object of the invention is to provide a cap feeding device wherein a continuously rotating cap carrier removes the caps one after another from a magazine and places the same in spaced relation on a continuously moving conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cap carrier of the above type wherein a plurality of cap engaging devices mounted on and traveling with the carrier are moved in succession radially of the carrier into engagement with the caps in the magazine for stripping the cap contacted with from the stack.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cap carrying device of the above type wherein the cap engaging devices are not only moved radially of the carrier but are also given a retrograde movement on the carrier in proper timing with the rotation thereof so that the cap engaging device is substantially at a standstill relative to the circumferential travel of the carrier when contacting with the cap in the magazine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cap feeding device of the above type wherein suction cups are provided for engagement with the caps for stripping the same from the magazine and wherein said cups are placed under vacuum as they contact with the caps and wherein the caps are held attached to the cups until the caps are in proper position relative to a continuously moving conveyor at which time the vacuum is released and the caps are dropped onto the conveyor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cap feeding device of the above type wherein the caps are placed in spaced relation on a continuously moving conveyor which in turn is associated with a coating roller for applying a sealing composition to the cap.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings which show one embodiment of the cap feeding device and the application of the same to the feeding of the caps to a coating machine:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing the cap feeding mechanism, the mechanism in which the caps are stored, the continuously moving conveyor and the coating rollers of the coating machine;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the machine showing a portion of the magazine, the cap carrier and the continuously moving conveyor associated therewith, certain of the parts being in section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing the cap carrier, a portion of the magazine and a portion of the conveyor on which the caps are placed by the cap carrier;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a portion of the coating machine and the conveyor associated therewith said view being taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a rear view of the cap carrier with the cap engaging devices and the means for operating the same removed therefrom;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the continuously moving conveyor on which the caps are placed in a predetermined spaced relation;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of one of the rollers on the conveyor against which the caps are placed and by which the caps are rotated while in engagement with the coating roller;

Figure 10 is a detail in perspective of the positioning lug for aiding in placing the caps on the conveyor therefor;

Figure 11 is a view showing the carrier for the caps and the parts immediately associated therewith, said parts being separated and shown in perspective;

Figure 12 is a view of the supporting bracket for the cap carrier and the control cam for operating the cap carrying device and also the vacuum manifolds for controlling the vacuum on the cup, the control cam and the supporting bracket being detached and separated from each other;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view showing one of the cap carrying devices and indicating in broken lines the radial and circumferential movement of the cap carrying device relative to the carrier which renders the cap carrying device substantially stationary at the time of contact with the cap in the magazine;

Figure 14 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the conveyor in the region approaching th coating roll and also for a portion of the coating roll;

Figure 15 is a sectional view on the line l5-l 5 of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a sectional view on the line l6l6 of Figure 14.

The cap feeding device is particularly designed for feeding caps having an annular channel at the periphery thereof in which is placed a sealing gasket. The caps are of a well known construction and further description thereof is not thought necessary. A sectional view through certain of the caps is shown in Figures 3 and 16. As shown in Figure 1, the cap feeding de- 3 vice is employed in connection with a coating machine, although it is to be understood that the cap feeding device may be used with other machines than coating machines.

As illustrated, the magazine in which the caps are stacked is indicated at A. The conveyor for conveying the caps is indicated atB. The cap feeding device for stripping the caps one at a time from the magazine and placing'the same in a predetermined spaced relation on the conveyor B is indicated at C. The coating rollers for applying sealing composition to the peripheral channel of the cap is indicated in part at D.

The magazine may be of any desired construction. As shown, it includes a retaining head l which is mounted on a bracket member 2 supported by the bed of the machine 3. The bed of the machine is supported on suitable leg members one of which is indicated at 4. Associated with the retaining head I is a stack holder 5 in which the caps are stacked one on another and then fed into the retainer head. The caps are held in the retaining head I by cap retaining fingers 6, 6 (see Fig. 3). Each finger carries a projecting fulcrum lug I which engages a groove or recess in the wall of the retaining head. A bolt 8 threaded into the retaining head extends through an opening in the retaining finger and a spring 9 bearing on the finger yieldingly presses the end portions 6 of the fingers against the wall of the magazine. These fingers project slightly beyond the end of the retaining head so that the caps will rest on the retaining fingers but can be stripped therefrom by means of a suction cup which grips the cap and pulls it from the magazine. Thus, only one cap at a time will be stripped from the magazine.

The conveyor on which the caps are to be placed in spaced position includes a series of cap supporting plates I0, I!) which are joined by means of links H, II. These links II; II are connected to other links, thus making up a sprocket chain. The plates I0, II) are provided with depending members which. in turn are mounted on the pivots of the sprocket chain conveyor. Mounted on alternate plates are rollers I2, [2. These rollers are provided with a pcripheral groove I3and the caps which are indicated at M are placed on the plates and brought into contact with the grooved periphery of the rollers. Each cap will engage a pair of rollers. Mounted on these plates carrying the rollers are lugs I5, which aid in positioning the caps on the said plates.

The plates ll] of the conveyor rest on and move along a bar 80 at the outer side of the path of travel of the conveyor. In the region of the cap feeding device there is a bar 80 at the inner side of the conveyor path on which the plates l0 rest. When the cap is placed on the conveyor itpasses underneath a cover plate I? hinged at H to the bed of the machine. This cover plate rests on a guide bar 8! and the purpose of this cover plate is to retain the caps on the plates I0 as they aremoved into the recesses I3 in the rollers I2. The approached end of cover plate I! is tapered as shown in Figure 3 to facilitate the passing of the caps beneath the cover plate. The bar 8|, as shown in Figure 15,

supports the plates ill after they pass off from the bar 80 on thebar which guides the caps and this bar.

There is'a vertical shoulder 81 has a tapered receiving end 8| so that the caps will be crowded by the bar along the plates and into the recesses in the rollers 12.

The bar 81 terminates just-short 'of the coating roll 14 and extending along the coating roll is a bar 82 (see Fig. 16). This coating roll is carried by a shaft 15 and is rotated in the usual manner. The bar 82 has a supporting ledge 82 for-the plates II] and it has an inclined camming face 82* which terminates just short of thesurface of the coating roll 14. As clearly shown in Figure 16, this bar 82 is beneath the coating roll.

On the opposite side of the conveyor from the coating roll is a spring pressed bar IS. The bar is carried by rods 11 and a spring 78 bearing against the bar at its inner end and against the sleeves 19 at its outer end forces the bar 16 in- "wardly toward the conveyor and the inward movement of the bar is limited by nuts 19*. The rollers l2 on the conveyor contact this yieldinglypressed bar when the'caps arebrought to a point where they are about to pass thecoating roll. The spring pressed bar I6- bearing on-the rollers will force the caps up-thecammingsurface 82 so that the outer edge of thecap will be brought into contact with the surfaceof the coating roll I4 and will scrape coating from the roll so that it flows into thechannel in the cap. Thus it is that the channel is filled'with the gasket material which is placed in the usual manner as film or layer on the coating roll '14. The spring pressed bar "i6 bearing against the rollers will cause the rollers to rotate in a counterclockwise direction andthis will cause the caps to rotate in a clockwise direction. The contact of the cap with the coating roll alsotends to rotate the cap in a clockwise direction.

The sprocket chain of the endless conveyor runs over sprocket wheels mounted on thebed of the 'machine. There are two sprocket wheels l8, G8 at each end of the bed and the sprocket chain includes center links which pass-between these sprocket wheels. The Sprocketcham is driven from the opposite end of the machine, as shown in Figure 1. The sprocket wheels-are 'mounted on a shaft 19 which in turn is'mounted in bearings carried by the bracket 2-which supports the magazine.

The cap carrier which removes the caps one at a time from the magazine and places the same in spaced relation on the conveyor B is mounted on the bracket 2. The bracket 2 is mounted on the bed so that it may be adjusted longitudinally thereof and, therefore, the sprocket wheels l8; l8, themagazine A and the cap carrier C'can all be shifted as a unit on the bed for the purpose of taking up wear in the links of the conveyor. The bracket 2 is provided with an upstanding plate 20. Said plate 20 is provided with a sleeve'b'earing 2| in which a shaft 22 is mounted for'rotation. On this shaft 22 is mounted the rotating carrier for the caps. Keyed to the shaft 22 is a gear Wheel 23. The gear wheel 23 mesheswith fa gear wheel 24 shown in broken lines in Figure 1. This gear wheel 24 is mounted on a shaft 25 which carries a sprocket wheel 26. A sprocket wheel 21' is mounted on the end of the shaft I9, see Figure 2. A sprocket chain 28 runs over the sprocket wheels 26 and 21 and thus the carrier shaft 22 is rotated by the endless conveyor which runs over the sprocket wheels l8, l8 on the shaft I9. This will rotate the carrier for the caps in proper timing with the movement of the endless conveyor which feeds the caps to the coating roll.

An idler 29 engages the sprocket chain and can be adjusted for taking up any slack therein.

Mounted on the shaft 22 is the cap carrier 36. Said cap carrier is in the form of a disc. This cap carrying disc is in two sections integrally connected. The front section carries the cap engaging devices and the rear section carries the devices for imparting radial and circumferential movements to the cap carrying devices. As shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, these cap carrying devices include an outer sleeveportion 3| and an inner rod portion 32. A suction cup 33 is mounted on this sleeve portion 3 The inner section 32 of the cap carrier is provided with a trunnion 34 and in alternate cap carriers the trunnions thereon project in opposite directions so that the pivot trunnion for one carrier will engage a socket 35 in a hub 36 formed as an integral part of the carrier 36. The shaft 22 to which the carrier is keyed carries a collar 31 at the outer end thereof which is fixed to the shaft and rotates therewith and the trunnions 34 of the inner sections 32 of the cap carrier engage pivotal sockets 31* in said collar. As noted, these trunnions on alternate cap carriers project in opposite directions and therefore the pivotal supports for the carriers may be placed close together.

The outer section 3| of each cap carrier is formed integral with a supporting bracket 38. This bracket is provided with spaced members 39 and 40 between which a fin 4| on a ring 42 projects. This ring 42 is secured by bolts 43 to the carrier 36. The trunnions on the inner telescoping members 3-| of the cap carriers permit each cap carrier to oscillate independently to a limited extent on the supporting carrier therefor. The telescoping connection between the sections 3| and 32 permits the outer section 3| to move radially of the carrier and the bracket 38 to which the outer section 3| of the carrier is connected permits this outer section not only to be moved radially but to be moved circumferentially on the fin 4| connection with the ring 42.

The carrier 36 is provided with a socket 44 for each carrier and leading from this socket to the inner face of the carrier is a bore '45 (see Figures 4, 5 and 11). A shaft 46 is mounted in each bore and is provided with a concentric head 41 which engages the socket 44. Mounted on the head 41 is a crank pin 48. This crank pin 48 engages a socket 49 in the bracket 38 and when the crank is rotated or oscillated through 180 degrees, it will move this supoprting bracket and the portion 3| of the cap carrier radially and circumferentially of the carrier 36. On the inner end of the shaft 46 is a pinion 56. On the back side of the rotating carrier 36 are slots 5|, 5|, one for each shaft 46 (see Figures 7 and 11). These slots are on radial lines at one side of the axis of the shaft 46. A rack bar 52 is mounted in the slot 5| for reciprocation. This rack bar carries teeth 53 which mesh with the pinion =56 on the shaft 46. When these rack bars are moved endwise, they will oscillate the shaft 46. Each rack bar carries a roller 54.

The supporting plate 26 has an inwardly proj ecting sleeve hub 55 and mounted on this sleeve hub is a cam disc 56. Said cam disc is shown in detail in Figure 12. The cam disc 56 is held in a stationary position on the hub 55. of the supporting bracket 26 by pins 51 which engage sockets 58 in the cam disc. This cam disc is provided with a groove 59 on its face adjacent the carrier 36 which in'part is concentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier and in part eccentric to said axis. The rollers 54 on the rack bars travel in this cam groove 59 of the stationary cam disc 56 and the rack bars will'be moved endwise when the cam or eccentric portions of the groove are engaged by the rollers.

The vacuum cup 33 carried by the outer section 3| of each carrier is secured to a nipple 66 which is mounted in the outer end of the cap carrier section 3|. This nipple has a passageway leading to the cup and a passageway leading to a port 6| extending lengthwise of and all the way through the shaft 46. It is through these passageways that the suction cup may be put under vacuum at the proper time for stripping the caps from the magazine. The cam disc 56, as shown in Figure 12, is provided with a groove 62 which is relatively short and disposed concentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier 36 and also with a groove 63 which is relatively long and disposed concentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier 36.

The cam disc 56 is accurately machined on the face thereof and contacts a machined face on the rotating carrier. This cam disc while it is held from rotation is pressed tightly against the carrier by means of springs 64 which are disposed in sockets 65 formed in the supporting bracket 26.

Inasmuch as the grooves 62 and 63 are in the face of the cam disc 56 which contacts with the carrier, the carrier will close these grooves and they become header for controlling vacuum which is to be placed on the cap carrying suction cups. A port 66 is connected with the header 63. This port extends through the cam disc 56. A pipe 61 extends through an opening in the plate 26 and is threaded into the cam disc so as to make connection with the header 63. Associated with the header 62 is a port 68 which likewise extends through th cam disc and a pipe 6'! is threadedly connected to this port. The pipe 6'! is provided with a valve 61 These two. pipes 61 and 6! are connected to a source of vacuum and this places the headers 62 and 63 under vacuum. There are times, as will be referred to hereafter, when it is desirable to cut off the header 62 from the vacuum source and this is accomplished through the closing of the valve 61*. There is also a header 69 formed in the outer face of the cam disc 56 and this header is connected to a port 16 which leads to a radial groove H in the plate 26 and from this radial groove to a passage I2 leading tothe atmosphere (see Figure 4) The purpose of the header 62 is to place the vacuum cup under vacuum as it approaches and contacts with and strips a cap from the magazine. The distance between the header 62 and 63 is very short and a cap which is stripped from the magazine will be held to the suction cup until it is brought into connection with the header 63. Whil the suction cup connection to the header 63 is passing along said header, the cup will be held under vacuum and the cap retained in firm engagement with the vacuum cup. When th header 69 is reached by the port leading to the suction cup, then the vacuum will be broken as this header is connected through ports to the atmosphere. This breaking of the vacuum will cause the cup to release the cap and it will drop onto the conveyor beneath the same. As noted above, the timing of the cap feeding mechanism relative to the conveyor is such that the caps will be placed in succession one after another between the rollers on the con- 76 veyor and th positioning lugs l5.

The shaft-Isis mounted in abushing 13 in the The carrier 30 rotatesin ah'clockwise direction.

The rack bar is on the advance side'of the shaft with 1 which it cooperates andv'therefore when it is --moved outward; 'it will rotate "thesshaft 46 in. 10 '"a' counterclockwisedirection. This impartsto the suction c'up' a retrograde movement relative-"to th movement of the carrier whichis continuous aclockwise direction.

that the suction-cup contacts *withthe' cap and at this-moment the retrograde movement oi. the eap'carryinge-device issubsantially at-the same sp'eed as the-forward "rotating'movement of the carrier itself. This-enables-the-caps'to be very efficiently gripped andwithdrawn from the stationarystack holder. Thecap issuspended by Jthe carrier until itisdirectlyover the conveyor and then the suction-on thecupis broken and the cap drops onto-the conveyor. The cap will pass *underneath the coverplateso as to be retained on the conveyor and the guide bar will force the cap. along the'plates of the conveyor into contact with the rollers formingapartnfthe conveyor.

-In Figure" 13, the retrograde movement of 'the 15 When the-cap approaches the coating roll, these suction cuptarrying-means-on' the carrier-'30- is -illustrated. In the broken lines at theleft isthe positionof the 'crank fl8 'onthe shaft ldat the time when the suction cupapproaches the-magazine. Thero'llerSfl onthe' rack bar associated go-desiredto stop the machine, thevalve (HP-is with the cup i -sat this "time moving along the concentricportion of the groove 59. As-the roller moves into the section which is eccentric; it -will -bemoved outward and as it moves outwardit will carry the rack bar-outward to th full extent of its stroke. Thisoccurs while the roller'pa'ssing along the 'section'of thecam groove-between the -po'ints*a and bin Figure '12. This movement-poi the rack' bar turns the shaft" 46 through an arc of 180 degrees. -When'-the carrier-ismoving in 130- -a clockwise direction, the shaft- 46 is -moved by thisirack bar in a counterclockwise direction and therefore the'crankpin 48 moves the cap carrier in a reverse direction from-th-mo'vement of-the carrierwhile the cap carrier-isat the same time 235 in connection with other types of machines where traveling with the carrier. The rearwardmove- 'ment of the cap carrier is graduallyaccelerated until the full line position'i 'reached'inFigure l3 and then itis decelerated until the crank gpin rollers make contact with a spring pressed bar and'will force the capat; the inner side thereof -upwardly' along 'a cam ledge on the guide bar into contact with the coating roll. When it is reaches the position shown in the broken line=ata49 the right of Figure 13. The rotationsof-the shaft 1 then stop.

The timing-of the moving parts in such that owing to 3 this retrograde movement --of the cup relative tothe forwardmovement'of the same on the 4 carrier, the cup is =brought' to Y a' substantial standstill as it contacts thecap in-the-magaz-ine. It is 'moving -outward. into contact with the cap and then itmoves inwardly so as to strip" thecap I from the magazine. -At the moment-of-contact,rhowever, there is little- 'orno' movement of r the suction cup relative to the magazine.

The cam groove 56 which 'operates the rack bars is concentric to the axis-ofrotatiorr'of' the carrier from thepoint b' to thepoint c and from the point c-around' to the point-a it is-eccentric.

The'rack-har-a'fter it has moved the suction cup outwardly to contact'with the cap andthen in- "wardly until it has sti-ipped the' cap from the magazine remains radially stationary until the *point in the cam groove'c is'reached; after which this rack bar-will be gradually again" moved out- -wa-rdly, thence inwardly, and the cup "wvill -be brought back to the 'initial position where it' is ready to be moved through another cycle -for stripping-a capfrom the magazine.

It -is believed-that the operation oi" the cap and by the conveyor to *a' coating roll 1 will *be obvious fromthe' detaile'd description given above.

--tinuous rotatingcarrier. 'Ifhe'se cap carrying devices are" so construct'ed and -operated'-thatthey have a short retrograde-' inovement at the time -first clos'edwhichcuts off the suction from the *placed on a continuously traveling conveyor and carriedacross the coating roll without stopping.

This lends itself to a very 'highspeed machine. This high speed'cap'feeding device may be:used

'and* a feedingmechanism associated therewith comprising a continuously rotating carrier, a

plurality of cap carrying =devices' disposed substantially radially of said carrier;-each cap carryingdevice including an inner sectionpivoted'to I the carrier so'as'to swing in-a plane parallel with the face of thecarrier and anouter section having "telescoping engagementwith the inner section and connected tothe carrier so that it -may *move radially of the carrier as "-well as "circumfer'entially of the 1 carrier, and means op- "erating in su'ccession on theoutersection of said into contact'witha cap in thestack holder and for cap carrying-devices for moving the same radially simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as said cap {carrying-device moves toward-and from thestack holder.

The combination of-'a' stack holder for'caps and a feeding mechanism associatedtherewith comprising a 1 continuously rotating carrier, a 'plurality of cap carrying devices --disposed substa ntially radiallyofsaid carrier; each cap carryingdevice including an inner section pivotedto the-carrierso as to swingin'a plane'parallel with theface of the carrier andanouter section {having telescoping engagement with the inner section" and con'nectedto' the carrier so that it-may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operating in succession on the outer section of said cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with a cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as said cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder, each cap carrying device including a suction cup and means for placing said cup under vacuum as it moves into contact with a cap in the stack holder.

3. The combination of a stack holder for caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a carrier mounted for continuous rotation about a horizontal axis and in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the stack holder, a plurality of cap carrying devices disposed substantially radially of said carrier, each cap carrying device including an inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in a plane parallel with the face of the carrier and an outer section having telescoping engagement with the inner section and connected to the carrier so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operating in succession on the outer section of said cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with the cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as said cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder.

4. The combination of a stack holder for caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a carrier mounted for continuous rotation about a horizontal axis and in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the stack holder, a plurality of cap carrying devices disposed substantially radially of said carrier, each cap carrying device includingan inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in a plane parallel with the face of the carrier and an outer section having telescoping engagement with the inner section and connected to the carrier so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operating in succession on the outer section of said cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with the cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as said cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder, each of said cap carrying devices including a suction cup and means for placing said cup under vacuum as it moves into engagement with a cap in the stack holder.

5. The combination of a stack holder for caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a continuously rotating carrier, a plurality of cap carrying devices disposed substantially radially of said carrier, each cap carrying device including an inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in a plane parallel with the face of the carrier and an outer section having telescoping engagement with the inner section and connected to the carrier so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operating in succession on the outer section of said cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with a cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as said cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder, the

and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a carrier mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of cap carrying devices disposed substantially radially of said carrier, each cap carrying devices including an inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in a plane parallel with the face of the carrierand an outer section having telescoping engagement with said inner section and connected to said carrier so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operating in succession on the outer sections of the cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with the cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving thereto a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as the cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder. r

'7. The combination of a stack holder for caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a carrier mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of cap carrying devices disposed substantially radially of said car-' rier, each cap carrying device including an inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in a plane parallel with the face of the carrier and an outer section having telescoping engagement with said inner section and connected to said carrier so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier,

and means operating in succession on theouter sections of the cap carrying devices for moving the same radially into contact with the cap in the stack holder and for simultaneously giving there to a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier as the cap carrying device moves toward and from the stack holder, each cap carrying device including a suction cup and'means for placing said suction cup under vacuum as it moves into contact with a cap.

8. The combination of a stack holder for caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a carrier mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality of cap carrying de-' vices disposed substantially radially of said carrier, each cap carrying device including an inner section pivoted to the carrier so as to swingin a plane parallel with the face of the carrier and an outer section having telescoping engagement with said inner section and connected to said carr1er so that it may move radially of the carrier as well as circumferentially of the carrier, and means operatmg in succession on the outer section of the cap carrying devices for'moving the same radially into contact with the cap'in the cumferential retrograde movement on the suction cup at the moment of contacting the cap in the stack holder being substantially the same as the forward speed of the carrier so that said 9. Thecombination of a stackholderfor caps? and a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising'a carrier'mounted-f0r'rotation about: a horizontal axis, a 'plura'lity'of cap carryingLdee" vices "disposed substantially radially oftsaid car'- rier; each cap carrying ,deviceincludingan inner section pivoted tothe carrier so*as;to' swing'in a" plane parallel with the face of the carrier. and an outer sectionhaving telescoping engagement. with said inner section and connected 'to said carrier 'so' thatit may move "radially'of the; car rier as' well as circumferentially, of the carrier, a shaftassociated' with each cap carryingdevice and mounted in said carrier for rotation; :a crank mounted on said-shaftand having a rollerengagement with the outer section .of the cap carrying device, a radially movable rack bar :mounted onsaid carrier, a roller carried by said rack'bar, a stationary cam in which the rollersof. therack bars'travel -said stationary cam'beingshaped so. as tomovesaid shaftfor imparting a retrograde movement to the cap carrying. device: as .it is moved into contact with a cap in" the stackholder. ;Th combination of a stackholderfor caps and a feeding mechanism associated therewith" comprising a carrier mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, a plurality'of cap carrying devices disposed substantiallyradially of said carrier; each cap carrying devicevincluding an inner. section "pivoted to the CEJ'IiBYSOifiSLtOI swing in a planeparallel'with theface ofthe; carrier. and. an'outer section having telescoping engagement with said inner section and connected to said car-. rier'so that it may moveradially'of the carrier as well 'as circumferentiallyof the carrier, a shaft I associated with each can carrying device and.

mounted in said carrier for" rotation, a crankmounted onsaidshaft-and having a roller en-- gagement with the outer sectionof' the cap carrying device, a radiallymovable rack bar. mounted onsaid'car-rier, a roller carried by said rack bar, a stationary camin which the-rollers of .the rack. barstravel/said' stationary cam-being. shaped so as to move said shaft for impartinga retrograde movement to the cap carrying device" as vit is moved into contact with a cap in the'stack holder, each capcarrying device including a suctioncup, a passageway extending through the shaft associated with the cup and connected to the cup, aheader formed in theouter face of said stationary cam-with which saidpassage makes connection for creating a vacuum on the cover, said header beingconneoted toa source of vacuum.-

11'. Thecombi'nation of a stack holder for caps, and -a feeding mechanism associated therewith; comprising a carrier-mounted-for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a plurality of radially disposed cap carryingdevices -mounted- 'on said carrier; eachfcap carrying device including an innersec tion-having a laterally projecting trunnion en gaging sockets in the carrier; the-trunnions of the cap carrying devices being arrangedsoas to extendwalternately in opposite directions so that the pivotal::centers of the cap carrying devices" maybe-placed'relatively close togeth'er, each cap carrying device-including an-outer section, and means operating in successio'rronsaid outer sec tions' ofsthemap carryingdevices for moving-the samerradiallyinto contact with a cap in the-stack holder" and for -simultaneously giving to the cap carrying *device' a circumferential retrograde movement on the carrier-about its pivotal'con nection thereto as the capcarrying; device moves toward and from the stack-holder:

12. The combination ofa stack holder for capsand a feeding mechanism associated therewith comprising a continuously rotating carriena plurality of cap carrying devices-disposed substan-- *tially radiallyof said carrier; each can carrying device including an inner "section-pivoted to the carrier so as to swing in=a plane-parallel ,with

the face of the-carrier and an outer-sectionhaving= telescoping engagement with the inner section andconnected to' the carrier so that-it may move radially of the-carrier-as well as circum- I ferenti'ally of the'carrier, and-means operatingin succession on the outer section of-saidcap car:

ryingdevices for-moving the same radiallyinto contact 'with' a cap in the-stack holder and-for holder, a continuously moving endless conveyor mounted for movement beneath said cap carrier, said conveyorrhaving 'a seriessof' plates carried-- thereby, and means for releasing the-caps succession from the carrier for placing-the same in predetermined spaced relation-on said conveyor. 1 13; The combinationof a stack holderior caps and :a feeding mechanism associatedtherewith comprising a continuously rotating carrier, a plu rality of cap carrying devices disposedsubs'tan tiallyradially ofsaid. carrier, each cap: carrying device including an inner section pivoted toathe carrier so'as toswing ina plane parallel with the face of the carrier and. an outer: section having telescoping engagement with t the inner section and connected toithe'carrier so th'at'it may move.

radially of the. carrier as well'iasfcircumferentially-of the carrier, and means operatinginsucr' cession on the outersection of said cap carrying devices for moving the same .radiallyinto contact with a cap irrtheistaclcholder andifor'simultanee ously giving thereto a, circumferential :retrogradea.

movement-on the carrier as'said' cap. carryingidee vice moves: toward-and: :from the. stack; :holder,

each cap carrying device-including a suction cup and: means for. placing said cup'under-vacuum' as it :moves into contactrwith'ja cap in the stack:. holderra continuously: moving endless conveyor disposed beneath said cap carrier and having a series'of plates onwhich theicapsare who placed;

and means forrreleasing the suction on the cups ERNEST A.'TESCH, JR.

REFERENGESCITED file of this patent:

UN ITED STATES PATENTS The following referencesare of .record .imthe- Number- Name Date 1,628;00'8" Taliaferro May 10, 1927 1,904,720 Douglass Apia-18,1933- 1,942,885 Tevander Jan. 9, 1934 2,052,568 Heald; Sept."1,'1936 2,059,546 Brandenburg Nov. 3,1936

2,076;11'6 Brinton Apr. 6, 1937" 2,195,545' St0bb Apr. 2,1940 2,325,774 Hohl Aug. 3, 1943 

